16. Malcolm
Malcolm
Well, it seems I just invited her to stay for who knows how long. I’m sure it would be nice to have her here for any period of time, but it doesn’t help me protect myself. And the fact that she said she feels like she’s getting to live here—and that it’s really nice?
I can’t let my mind go there.
“It’s a joke we have,” Makenna says, answering her mother’s question about why I called myself a wizard.
“You two already have jokes?”
“Just the one.” Makenna smiles over at me, and I have to quickly look away. She’s making this too hard.
“I still think I should come. I should have come in the first place. You never know what might happen, and it’s always best to have somebody with you.”
“That’s not necessarily true,” Makenna says.
“You hadn’t been there two days, and you were in the hospital. I think it’s fair to say that anything can happen.”
“Okay, sure. But that was a fluke. The worst is over.”
“Malcolm?” Ms. Fore’s eyes look toward me.
“Yes?”
“Tell me about your relationship with your family.”
Well, that was not what I expected. “I have a great relationship with my family. My parents and two older sisters live nearby, and I have a twin sister who lives in Edinburgh. She’s my best friend, really.”
“And your mom brought soup. That was very kind. Will you thank her for me?”
“I’ll pass on your thanks. She was glad to do it.”
“Thank you. And you really don’t mind if Makenna stays with you for the rest of her trip? She’ll be there for twelve, or I suppose eleven, more days.”
“Mom!” Makenna interjects.
Ms. Fore looks at her daughter. “You said you were enjoying being there, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but he has a life and a job. I’m not going to impose on him any more than I need to.”
I want to argue that she isn’t, because that’s the truth. I’d love her to stay. I’d love it too much, so I keep my mouth shut, all the while hoping she stays regardless.
There’s a complicated rammy going on inside me.
“Honey, he said you were welcome.”
“He’s just nice like that.”
“All the more reason for you to stay. In fact, I will feel much better if you do.”
“Mom.”
“Promise me you’ll stay with Dr. Malcolm, and I won’t show up in Scotland.”
The ultimatum makes me chuckle. Being a nurse isn’t the only thing she has in common with Mam.
“Are you serious?” Makenna asks, then gives me an apologetic look.
“Yes,” her mam answers. “I’d feel much better if you had someone who’s there for you.”
“You don’t even know Malcolm.” Makenna looks at me and shrugs, as if to say nae offence.
“I know enough to know he’s a good man.”
Makenna looks like she’s trying to formulate her next argument, but her mam speaks again.
“Could you see and do enough of what you were planning to if you stayed in Inverness?”
“I … yes, I suppose so.”
“Please stay with him.”
Makenna turns to look at me, giving her mother a view of my ceiling. “I’m so sorry about this.”
“There’s nae need for you to be sorry.” I put my hand on Makenna’s where it rests on her leg. “I said you were welcome here as long as you need, and I meant it.”
“You’re too nice. You didn’t sign up for all this when you sat down at my table in the pub.”
I shrug. “Maybe not, but I’m glad to know you, Makenna, and I’m glad you’re here.”
“See.” Ms. Fore’s voice startles me. “It’ll be great.”